The Second Son | Aemond x Reader

06 | A Defeat in Gold

Warning: this chapter contains HOTD spoilers, violence and mature language.

THEY SAY THE GODS WOOD in The Red Keep, is perhaps the most sacred of them all. I understood why, as I walked the pathways up and around it: enclosed within the castle walls, the wood was perched high on the outreaches of the Red Keep, so high I was almost certain I could touch the very clouds above me. I could not be closer to the Gods and on that day, I needed to feel their guidance. The Woods overlooked the Blackwater Rush below and in its centre, stood a grand fiery Oak with red leaves, covered in smokey vines and encircled in a bed of red dragons breath flowers. It was that time of year, where everything was in full bloom and every whisper of wind through the trees sounded like a calling.

It was one of the few places where I could be alone, unburdened by my looming engagement and uncalled upon by my companion for her entertainment. I loved the Queen Helaena, truly but there were still times I wished to be alone - times I wished to think quietly and fondly of my house, of my old home and my mother whom despite her meddling, I did truly love. I was careful to gather my gold dress in my hands as I crossed the grass towards the Heart tree; as I approached, a single leaf fell from one of it's branches and landed gently on my face. I managed to capture it, before it blew away and for a while, I studied it in my palm. It was such an impossibly bright colour, and as it sat patient in my hand I felt as though it was trying to tell me something... though I could never work out what. The morning breeze took it from my hand, and I watched it disappear over the edge of the cliff down towards the Blackwater.

How I wished I could follow, let the wind and tide take me prisoner. How I longed to fly.

"Might I join you?"

My heart sank and twisted as I heard his voice. Since our conversation in his chambers, his apology to his nephews - I understood him less than ever. Did he despise me? Surely what Helaena had said about his affections for me could not be true. He had made his feelings so plain, shouted them to me in fact. Yet here he was, standing in the shadow of the castle arches just outside the Gods Wood waiting for me, watching me. I curtsied to him as him as he approached and noticed his eyes taking in my dress. "Gold... I have not seen you in this one before."

"It was a gift." I smoothed the material, lacing together my hands in front of me. "From your queen mother, I do believe."

"Hm." He hummed, stepping closer to me. His sword tapped gently against his thigh as he brushed a hand forward, rubbing the hem of the dress between his thumb and forefinger. "Someone once told me, that ladies of the realm send messages to one another with something as simple as the colour of their dress. I suppose... that's why my mother always wears green."

"Your meaning?"

"Perhaps she is trying to tell me something... about you. Maybe that you are my prize. Adorned in gold... in all the riches of our arrangement."

"It is just a dress, my lord." I scoffed, moving so that the hem of the dress was removed from his grip. "Why did you come to me?"

"I wanted to see you."

"You lie." I spoke plainly. "You always have a motive. Might it have something to do with you apologising to your nephews?"

"... I suppose, in a way."

"In what way?"

"In that you have effects on me and my decisions that I cannot explain." He said coldly, but his words were warm and loving. I felt myself becoming quite panicked - how could I be so drawn to such a vile person as this? Why did he speak to me in this manner now?